This record-breaking feat works out to an astonishing average diesel consumption of just 2.61 litres per 100 km.
Despite diesel’s less-than-stellar environmental reputation these days, there is however still no denying it can still go the distance. And to prove that point spectacularly, one Skoda Superb has just managed to travel a staggering 2,831 kilometres on a single, standard 66-litre tank of diesel!
Now the man behind this incidentally record-breaking feat was none other than Miko Marczyk, this year’s European Rally Champion. Setting off in his own Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI in the entry-level Essence trim, the Polish rally driver charted a route from Łódź to Eurodisney in Paris, through Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and back into Germany again, all without stopping to refuel.
That incredible intercontinental journey averaged 2.61 litres/100 km, a figure far below the model’s official combined consumption of 4.8 litres/100 km. Perhaps even more impressive, at one point while driving through France, a favourable tailwind helped Miko achieve an unbelievable 2.2 litres/100 km (or 106.9 mpg) over a 200-kilometre stretch.
Now in detailing a little bit more about this fuel-sipping Skoda, under the bonnet of this record-setter sits the familiar 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the front wheels. And before the sceptics start questioning the legitimacy of the run, Miko’s Superb was essentially bone stock, save for low rolling-resistance tyres and an aerodynamic-enhancing 15 mm drop in its ride height courtesy of the Sportline variant’s sports springs.
It is nevertheless worth noting however that a support vehicle did drive two to three kilometres ahead to relay route information. “Even minor details mattered,” said Miko. “A slight incline before a toll booth, for example, let me lift off the accelerator sooner and coast all the way to the barrier without braking.”
In any case, the drive itself was kept deliberately calm. Cruising at around 80 km/h was the Goldilocks sweet spot, with Eco mode engaged for smoother shifts and a gentler throttle response.
Still, Miko admits there’s room for improvement. “Germany was a bit challenging,” he recalls. “At night, temperatures dropped to around 1°C, which isn’t ideal for fuel economy. There were also long uphill sections of more than five kilometres that increased consumption. On the way back through France though, I had a 200-kilometre stretch with a tailwind where I hit just 2.2 litres per 100 kilometres.”
Interestingly, Miko also used regular diesel for the attempt, with him suggesting there’s untapped potential with higher-quality fuel. And while this record already stands as an incredible demonstration of efficiency, the rally driver has quietly set his sights even higher — aiming to surpass 3,000 kilometres on a single tank next time.
